Delight for British raider with gutsy Greenlands victory

James’s Delight swooped on the line to take home the Weatherbys Ireland Greenlands Stakes at the Curragh.

Trained by Clive Cox, James’s Delight was settled on the heels of pacesetter Lethal Levi by Oisin Murphy, who was hard at work as the field entered the last of the six furlongs.

The 22-1 winner kept responding for pressure though and edged a short head victory over Lethal Levi on the line, with Big Gossey a further neck back in third after struggling to find a gap at a crucial stage.

Australian import Storm Boy was sent off the 6-4 favourite on his European bow for Aidan O’Brien, but he dropped away after racing prominently early on and was also slightly hampered in the finish, eventually ending up last of the nine runners.

Paddy Power cut James’s Delight to 14-1 from 25s for the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Murphy said: “Clive was very happy with him. The plan was actually to get a bit of cover, but the speed wasn’t very fast and he broke well. He is a tough, game horse for very good owners, the Rooneys.

“Jason Maguire (the owners’ racing manager) does a top job and it’s fantastic they have kept this guy in their colours and he can pick up valuable prizes like today.”

James’s Delight was continuing a recent British domination of the race, with Cox’s winner a fourth successive triumph for the raiding party.

Asked why British runners have been so successful of late, Murphy added: “We generally have quite a lot of them and the handicap system is quite tough on them.

“They really have to perform in those big Saturday class two races. This guy came through that system and the guys have done a great job bringing him over here and preparing him for such a big day.”